I have not been formally educated in many things that I know nowadays (the english language is one of them, albeit far from perfect), but knowing how to read from an early age helped me enjoying the activity and knowing how to find information independently.

I can't answer properly given that I have never worked professionally as a software developer (yet), but I have learned to code while (and partially motivated due to) my second son being born, while holding a full-time job as a construction worker.

Time and sleep you will have available for yourself is quite relative and depends on your child. There are babies that sleep less and babies that sleep more, but in general, a well fed baby who feels comfortable in his environment will sleep most of the time and thus not demand that much attention, specially during the first months. What happens a lot is that they sleep for 30~40 minutes and then demand attention, and go back to sleep again. It is something you can manage, specially if you are used to work for short bursts of time and rest (e.g. Pomodoro technique).

You can also learn tricks on how to make the baby sleep and sleep better, and with time you will learn things that work with your baby. You can also negotiate with your partner if you feel that you studying is important, specially if you are the bread winner.

I don't have a hard time talking to women in general (I am a father of two), regardless of beauty, but if a woman approaches me, with hints of interest, I get really scared/shy/anxious. If it is the contrary, that is, I am doing the approach, usually I am cool. But thinking through, it is quite interesting, given that in a social circumstance having a woman approaching you, it means that she found something on you more interesting than other guys.

I am an 25 years old male, EU citizen (Italian) born in Brazil. I am looking forward to study computer science somewhere in Europe. So far I have started to study in Ireland, but I didn't like the course for a few reasons. One of them was that the course was Computing Science instead of Computer Science. The only other university where my circumstances would allow me to study have a course in Information Technology (which is still not what I am looking for). While looking for somewhere to study, I stumbled Vrije Universiteit (by the way, seems to be a really good college), but it is full time (although I could apply for student finance, it seems that finding a part time job for students is not an easy task). To be honest, this is the one I am aiming for in the moment, but I still want to check other options.

I don't want to sound choosy or anything, but I do have a few "requirements" regarding my studies:

A) It has to be Computer Science, not Computing Science or Information Technology or other overlapping course. The reason for this is that I am looking for a course that will give me good theoretical background, given that I am looking forward to work developing for embedded devices, Operating Systems, or work for trading firms.

B) The course is taught mainly using a low level programming language (C, C++, Rust). I understand that most courses will teach different languages, that is positive and I am happy with it, but I believe that these are better languages, specially for a course, given that they have fewer abstractions and are used in the field of work I am planning to work. The course I was studying was mostly Java (except the web development subjects). It seems rather difficult (if not impossible) to implement an OS or a low latency system in Java. C) It is affordable for the common folk, that is, a folk with a unskilled job, with no financial support from his family (but is single, healthy and ready for work) and no appropriate savings. D) It is in English or Portuguese (I do speak Spanish and Italian as well, the latter one not fluently and the first I don't believe I have a level good enough for academic studies).

One thing I would like to mention is that I already know how to code (in C++), but it has been a little bit difficult to find a job given as I lack a degree. With or without a job or degree, I keep working on improving my skills as much as I can, through self learning (mainly using books). With that in mind, what are my options? I am also open to suggestion regarding career choice. I kinda have a firm grip on what kind of things I want to work on, given that I am looking more for career satisfaction than money, but if is there any route that leads me there that I am not aware of, or given the supplied information, another career path that could bring equal career satisfaction, please, tell me!

I really appreciate if you have made this far and I am looking forward to hear your suggestions. Thank you very much.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31319037

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